Alabama

Byron Cowart was one of six participants at the Rivals Camp Series event in Orlando last weekend to be invited to the elite Five-Star Challenge later this summer in Baltimore. (Photo courtesy of Rivals.com

Byron Cowart of Seffner (Fla.) Armwood earned defensive line MVP honors at the camp, while Jacques Patrick of Orlando-Timber Creek was named the running back MVP.

"For a big running back, Patrick has very light feet, tremendous straight ahead and outstanding ball skills," Rivals' Adam Friedman wrote of the 6-2, 225-pound Patrick. "There wasn't a linebacker or defensive back that could stop Patrick in one-on-ones."

Rivals' Woody Wommack, meanwhile, wrote that Cowart, rated the No. 3 overall prospect in the nation by Rivals, was dominant and made a convincing case to be No. 1.

"He's extremely fast off the ball and already has a college-ready body," Wommack wrote. "His combination of size and speed is very rare and it's easy to see why the nation's top overall programs are coveting him."

Both Cowart and Patrick were among the six players from the camp invited to the elite Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge in Baltimore later this summer, along with two other players tarted by both Alabama and Auburn: Baker County (Fla.) defensive end CeCe Jefferson and Orlando-First Academy tight end Garrett Williams. Also earning invitations were athlete Ray Ray McCloud of Tampa-Sickles and Haines City (Fla.) defensive back Derwin James, a Florida State commitment.

McCloud was named the camp's receiver MVP and James earned defensive back MVP honors. Other MVP honorees were Deondre Francois of Orlando-Olympia (quarterback), Tyree St. Louis of IMG Academy in Bradenton (offensive line) and South Carolina commit Sherrod Pittman of Jacksonville-First Coast (linebacker).

"They have both had backs like me recently," he said. "Florida State had James Wilder, Alabama has Drake, Henry and Yeldon, so I can see how those guys are used and I already know how I'll be used by watching those guys."

Cowart (6-3, 248) said earlier this month that Alabama was among four schools that stood out for him, joining Florida, Oregon and USC, but has also said that Auburn caught his eye during a visit for the Iron Bowl last November and he plans to visit the Plains again this spring.